The Bizarre History of 10 Common Sayings

#1.

"Nitty-Gritty"

Now Means:
The heart of the matter. As in, "Let's get down to the nitty-gritty, home skillet."

Most say it came from ...
Nitty-Gritty has two popular origins, both of which may make you feel like a sack of shit for ever using the term.

So is that true?

#2.

"Dead Ringer"

Now Means:
An exact duplicate. As in, "That stripper's crotch is a dead ringer for your mom's."

Most say it came from ...

This origin holds that a "Dead Ringer" was a person that was prematurely buried and is supplied with a rope attached to a bell with which to draw attention to the not-so-dead guy in the totally-for-dead-people box.

#3.

"As Pleased as Punch"

#4.

"Wrong End of the Stick"

Now Means:

#5.

'By the Short Hairs"

clipped from: www.cracked.com

#6.

"Raining Cats and Dogs"

#7.

"Bust Your Chops"

#8.

"Basket Case"

Now Means:

One that is in a completely hopeless or useless condition.

#9.

"Bite the Bullet"

#10.

"Rule of Thumb"

As in, "The rule of thumb is one part tonic to four parts gin."